Internews Kosova organised a Multi-ethnic camp on Anti-disinformation with young journalists and students, in Mitrovica, on 22-24 March 2024. The camp was part of the project “Strengthening the integrity of the media: Promoting Fact-Checking and combating disinformation in Kosovo”, financed by the European Union, CFI (Media Development Agency). This camp was attended by young journalists and students interested in understanding more about disinformation and fake news.

A total of 21 young journalists and students participated in this camp, of which 11 were women. During the multi-ethnic camp, through various speakers, the participants had the opportunity to learn more about the historical context of disinformation, fact-checking methodologies, identification of disinformation, the rules of “Community Standards”, legal protection from disinformation, and the development of programs in fact-checking and their financing possibilities.

“For students and young journalists to be aware on the concept of disinformation and the ways to identify them is a necessary process for their professional development,“ Labinot Leposhtica, one of the trainers of the camp, said.

“Participants have managed to understand the importance of these phenomena and showed commitment to acquire knowledge,” he added.

Denis Hajrullahu, a Prishtina University student, said that this camp helped him to better understand and identify disinformation.

“As young people, I and other participants have acquired knowledge on disinformation and fake news because we are getting loads of fake news in a day. This camp has helped us in our professional development to identify real news from fake ones,” Hajrullahu said.

As part of the camp, young journalists and students worked in groups to develop proposals for possible projects in the field of disinformation and fact-checking. In addition, they presented ideas that the Internews Kosova team will take into account to further increase the involvement of young people in investigative journalism.

In the following months, Internews Kosova will again carry out similar activities so that young journalists and students can be offered opportunities to grow professionally.